Appendix Four

Examples of quarry restoration

by QPA members

107

But restoration also offers an

opportunity for beneficial change to

new uses such as leisure facilities,

wildlife habitats and country parks

that benefit the community. Over

700 Sites of Special Scientific Interest

(SSSI’s) have aggregates or other

minerals extraction as their origin.

The industry is also one of the major

contributors to new tree planting in

the UK.

The case studies shown here

are some of the most recent

projects to come forward for QPA

restoration awards.

Quality restoration of land borrowed for aggregate extraction is one of the

trademarks of the modern quarrying industry in the UK.

Extraction of minerals is a temporary land use that may last no longer than a

decade for sand and gravel and perhaps 40 years for a rock quarry. Restoration

is usually progressive and, in many cases, involves a return to agriculture - often

at a higher quality than existed previously.

1 Berwick Woods Project Essex

Restored by Tarmac Southern Limited in

partnership with Thames Chase

12,000 trees and shrubs have been

planted to transform this derelict quarry

to a community forest which is now

London’s largest area of wet woodland.

The local residents from Rainham and

Hornchurch have been closely involved

throughout the restoration and a

significant programme of artistic events

have involved over a hundred students

from local schools.

1

108

Appendix Four

2 Whisby Nature Park Lincolnshire

Restored by Lafarge Aggregates Limited in

partnership with Lincolnshire Wildlife

Trust, Lincolnshire County Council and

Kesteven District Council

At Whisby Nature Park Lafarge

Aggregates, local and district councils

and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust have

restored over 150 hectares to lakes,

woodland, ponds, scrub and grassland -

home to more than 60 species of

breeding birds and 100,000 human

visitors each year. The park also includes

the Natural World Centre and the

Lafarge Education Centre.

2

3

3 Forest Rock Wood Leicestershire

Restored by Hanson Aggregates

Some 15,000 trees and shrubs planted on

an 11-hectare landform now form part of

the National Forest providing valuable

new wildlife habitats. Public access has

been encouraged by the construction of

over half a mile of footpaths linking into

the wider local network.

109

5 Carmel Woods Carmarthenshire

Restored by Tarmac Western Limited in

partnership with the Countryside Council

for Wales

This 63-hectare area has been

regenerated and recolonised and now

forms part of the Carmel National Nature

Reserve, widely appreciated both for its

beauty, its geological and archaeological

wealth. A site of Special Scientific Interest

for both its biology and geology Carmel

awaits still higher designation as a Special

Area of Conservation.

4

5

4 Kirkby Gravel Pit Nature Reserve

Lincolnshire

Restored by Woodhall Spa Sand & Gravel

Limited in partnership with the

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

This nature reserve consisting of three

lakes, surrounding trees and grassland

makes an important contribution to the

Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan.

Subject to seasonal wetting and drying

out the main lake provides a variety of

habitat popular with many wildfowl and

migratory birds.

110

Appendix Four

7 Cheviot Quarry Northumberland

Restored by Tarmac Northern Limited

As quarrying of this former wartime

training aerodrome proceeds,

progressive restoration has seen the land

returned to use by gliding enthusiasts

from the Borders Gliding Club. Other

restored areas include treeplanting and

lakes which have also become a haven

for birdlife.

7

6 Brockholes Quarry Lancashire

Restored by Hanson Aggregates

By providing several priority habitats,

this nature conservation area makes a

significant contribution to biodiversity

attracting over 130 species of birds to

date. These include the threatened song

thrush, the little ringed plover and the

reed bunting.

6

111

8 Waterford Heath Hertfordshire

Restored by Lafarge Aggregates Limited in

partnership with Hertfordshire County

Council, East Hertfordshire District

Council, Groundwork Hertfordshire, Herts

and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and the local

community

This old quarry has been transformed

into a community nature park through a

plan which called for the management

8

of existing habitats, creation of new

habitats and access routes and

community involvement. The site is in

two parts, each having a unique soil

structure providing a variety of habitats

for rare plants and wildlife.

The trade association for the aggregate, asphalt and

ready-mixed concrete industries

Providing Essential

Materials for Britain

For further information please contact Jerry McLaughlin

156 Buckingham Palace Road London SW1W 9TR

Tel 020 7730 8194 Fax 020 7730 4355

info@qpa.org www.qpa.org